| Growing an organic garden doesn't have to be time | | | | drinks. Pansies grow in a rainbow of colors. Freeze |
| consuming and back breaking. In fact, it can be just the | | | | them in ice trays and float the ice cubes in your |
| opposite--simple, relaxing and enjoyable. It can also help | | | | favorite drink." |
| you and your family to have much healthier meals | | | | "Scented geraniums have a variety of smells. Each |
| without really changing your diet. Eating food that is | | | | smell will carry that same flavor. There are fragrances |
| organically grown (without using harmful chemicals or | | | | of rose, lemon, chocolate, and apple, to name only a |
| pesticides) can reduce the risk of things like high blood | | | | few. The flowers are usually small but are heavily |
| pressure and heart disease. Organic food also tastes | | | | scented." |
| much better and stores better too. | | | | Ms Rawe has a whole list of flowers that would look |
| When you grow your own fresh vegetables, you have | | | | lovely with fresh vegetable dishes, in soups and drinks, |
| the satisfaction of knowing you grew them yourself | | | | and even decorating your daughters' wedding cake! |
| and you don't have to buy them at the store anymore! | | | | And don't forget, Martha Stewart made it "posh" to |
| Gardening can be even more fun if you get the whole | | | | have edible flowers on your fancy dinner table. |
| family involved. | | | | If you don't know how to plant an organic garden or |
| With fresh herbs you can add pizazz to a meat dish | | | | you would like to learn even more about it, be sure to |
| or a sprig of fresh mint to a refreshing glass of iced | | | | click on the link in my Authors' Bio. It leads to a really |
| tea. Imagine a bed of crisp salad greens tossed with | | | | terrific eBook by Laura Fox. Ms. Fox is an organic |
| firm juicy tomatoes, brightly colored peppers and | | | | gardener and she tells you step by step how to |
| garnished with beautiful flowers that your guests can | | | | become an organic gardener yourself. |
| eat! | | | | Ms. Fox tells you the one biggest mistake that people |
| You can create a beautiful organic garden in your | | | | make that makes their gardening much more work |
| back yard or in pots that you place around your home, | | | | than it should be. She tells you about garden FRIENDS |
| on your patio or on your balcony. You can plant | | | | like the Green Lacewing, the Ladybug and the |
| vegetables, herbs and flowers all in the same area or | | | | Earthworm. She gives instructions on making your own |
| in separate pots so you can rearrange them | | | | compost (and what to leave out so you don't poison |
| whenever you choose. Another great thing about | | | | your family!) and she teaches you how to make a |
| potted gardens is that if you move to a new home, | | | | "magic" mulch that stops weeds and destroys disease. |
| your garden can move with you! | | | | Well, there you have it-- instructions, ideas and even |
| I found this really great web page called "Edible | | | | reasons to plant your very own organic garden. So |
| Flowers" by Lynn Rawe. Ms. Rawe is a Horticulture | | | | create a little gardening "magic" around your home. |
| Agent with Texas Cooperative Extension in Bexar | | | | Brighten up that dull little corner, bring your plain kitchen |
| County. Here are just a few items from her list: | | | | to life, turn your back yard into a jungle of yummy |
| "Rose petals add a delicate, sweet flavor to many | | | | foods or turn your patio into your very own Paradise |
| dishes. The petals can be used in sorbets, fruit salads, | | | | by creating the magic of organic gardening! |
| teas and desserts. The stronger the fragrance, the | | | | I hope you enjoyed reading my article. If you did, please |
| stronger the flavor will be." | | | | leave a comment or rate the article as I am new at all |
| "Pansies are used as a candied flower to decorate | | | | this and would greatly appreciate any feedback. |
| cakes. The sweet flavor can be used in desserts and | | | | Thank you and happy organic gardening to all!! |